The State Library of New South Wales

The State Library of New South Wales For keeping up with exhibitions, events, news and services on offer at the State Library of NSW.

The State Library of NSW exists for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone who wishes to use its extensive range of services, collections, and facilities. This page is moderated as per the State Library’s Social Media Community Guidelines, found here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library/legislation-and-policies/reader-and-visitor-code-conduct

Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

04/09/2026

Your first look at RECLAIM. 👀

Premiering next week, this new work by Stephen Page AO honours the creativity and resilience of Koori ancestral warriors through dance, poetry, spoken word and music.

Don’t miss experiencing it up close in the stunning Mitchell Library Reading Room on 11 & 12 September.

Book your tickets: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/reclaim-contemporary-ceremony

Dive into Openbook spring!Our latest issue of Openbook features articles from some of Australia's leading storytellers, ...
01/09/2026

Dive into Openbook spring!

Our latest issue of Openbook features articles from some of Australia's leading storytellers, photographers and writers.

📚 William Barton, Skye McIntosh Violinist and Stephen Page reveal the libraries that made them.

🎭 Joanna Erskine reflects on her new Bell Shakespeare play A Night at the Library.

📸 Lorrie Graham shares her life as a photojournalist and visual storyteller.

📖 Kate Evans starts the countdown for ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian Books.

🎞️ Avryl Witnall traces the career of iconic photographer Max Dupain.

Become a Library Friend to get Openbook delivered to your door every quarter, one of many perks.

Become a Friend: https://ow.ly/ESkj50ZEnLQ

Looking for a gift for dad?With Father's Day just around the corner, gift dad a Library Friends membership. Dad will enj...
29/08/2026

Looking for a gift for dad?

With Father's Day just around the corner, gift dad a Library Friends membership.

Dad will enjoy exclusive benefits including:

🛍️ Discounts at the Library Shop and Cafe
📖 Openbook magazine, posted quarterly
🛋️ Access to the Friends Room
🎟️ Priority booking for Library events
💕 Curated Friends-only experiences

Become a Friend and get 10% off the limited-edition red cover copy of 'Definitive Dupain' published by Thames & Hudson, available exclusively at the Library Shop.

Buy a Friends gift membership: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/join/become-library-friend

Have you seen the new 'My Brilliant Career' adaptation on Netflix?It might surprise you to know that the Library holds t...
28/08/2026

Have you seen the new 'My Brilliant Career' adaptation on Netflix?

It might surprise you to know that the Library holds the personal papers of Miles Franklin, the author of this timeless Australian classic.

On 19 November 1899, having just turned 20, Miles sat down to pen a letter. The letter was addressed to poet Henry Lawson, asking if he would “be good natured enough to read my yarn”.

The yarn was 'My Brilliant Career'.

Lawson helped to bring Franklin's debut to publication, but his mention in the preface that Franklin was "just a little bush girl" ruined her attempts to keep her gender a secret.

First published in 1901, this classic Australian novel has never been out of print.

See a selection of Miles Franklin material on display in our 200th Anniversary Exhibition.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/miles-franklin

Don't miss extraordinary performances by leading Australian storytellers and artists! In our 200th year experience new w...
27/08/2026

Don't miss extraordinary performances by leading Australian storytellers and artists!

In our 200th year experience new works by Stephen Page AO, William Barton, Skye McIntosh (The Australian Haydn Ensemble) and Joanna Erskine (Bell Shakespeare) inspired by our collections and spaces.

Limited performances – tickets selling fast!

✊ RECLAIM: A Contemporary Ceremony
🗓️ 11, 12 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/qo5Y50ZFsiW

🍃 Earth Flow
🗓️ 18, 19 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/p5NG50ZFsiY

🦋 The Scott Sisters: Pioneers of Science and Art
🗓️ 25, 26, 27 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/IZuc50ZFsiV

⭐️ A Night at the Library
🗓️ 20, 29, 30 September, 1 October
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/YKIa50ZFsiX

Definitive Dupain is now open.The first major retrospective of Australia’s most famous photographer Max Dupain drawing f...
24/08/2026

Definitive Dupain is now open.

The first major retrospective of Australia’s most famous photographer Max Dupain drawing from his complete body of work.

The Library holds more than 250,000 negatives and prints created by Dupain over his remarkable 60-year career.

Discover 200 images and original prints on display, from his most iconic photographs, through to unseen works and experimental gems.

A limited edition of ‘Definitive Dupain’ published by Thames & Hudson is also available exclusively at the Library Shop.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/definitive-dupain

The 2026 NSW History Awards shortlists are out! The judges considered 208 entries across six prize categories, with a to...
20/08/2026

The 2026 NSW History Awards shortlists are out!

The judges considered 208 entries across six prize categories, with a total of $85,000 in prize money on offer.

Senior Judge Professor Richard Scully said the shortlists show that “history is alive and well in Australia, and thriving.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Library on Monday 7 September 2026 as part of History Week.

The NSW History Awards are administered by the State Library in association with , with support from and .

See the shortlists and highly commended titles here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-history-awards

JUST ANNOUNCED! This September and October, we're bringing live music outdoors with Spring Sessions.Join us as we transf...
19/08/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED!

This September and October, we're bringing live music outdoors with Spring Sessions.

Join us as we transform the Macquarie Street forecourt into a vibrant, welcoming hub for all ages, spotlighting some of Sydney’s best local musicians.

Each week, meet your friends after work or study and catch free sunset performances featuring a live act and DJ. Enjoy relaxed seating, a pop-up bar and grab something to read from our street library.

Drop-in event, no bookings required.

See the full line up here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/spring-sessions

On this day in 1975.On 16 August 1975, land rights activist Vincent Lingiari received a handful of red earth from Prime ...
15/08/2026

On this day in 1975.

On 16 August 1975, land rights activist Vincent Lingiari received a handful of red earth from Prime Minister Gough Whitlam during the ceremonial handover of Gurindji land in the Northern Territory.

There to capture the historic moment was Mervyn Bishop, Australia's first Aboriginal press photographer, who began his career as a Sydney Morning Herald cadet in 1963.

See this photograph, alongside many other extraordinary images captured by Mervyn Bishop, on display at the Library right now.

Mervyn Bishop: Close Up is a free exhibition on display until 7 February 2027.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/mervyn-bishop-close

Address

1 Shakespeare Place
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+61292731414

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